Calendar of Events
Our programming includes many art classes and events both free and paid for anyone who is passionate about puppetry! Events are typically hosted at different venues around Minneapolis, and include offerings that are all ages, family friendly, as well as programs for kids, tweens and teens. You can subscribe to our enewsletter and stay up to date on all we have to offer.
Scroll down to view events or click to see calendar by month.
Puppet Toddler Music Time
Join Chelly and her sidekick Turnip the Dog for 8 weeks of music, movement, stories and puppets!
We will engage in exploring puppets, singing familiar songs, finger play and more.
Suggested ages: Toddlers and Pre-K
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet.
All are welcome.
Beaver Woman: A Tale of Curiosity
Beaver Woman: A Tale of Curiosity is a shadow puppet show inspired by Beaversprite: My Years Building an Animal Sanctuary, the memoir of Dorothy Richards.
Following the performance, stick around to learn about local beaver ecology, meet the artists, and try your hand at making shadow puppets!
Created by: Kim Boustead and Jessie Merriam
Music by: Alex Griffin and Bozena Scheidel
Narrated by: Beth Homa Kraus
History of Puppetry in the Twin Cities & Behind-the-Scenes Tour (SOLD OUT!)
Jennings Mergenthal, a puppeteer and historian will share from their ongoing research project, exploring oral histories and archival sources to uncover the origins of this community. We'll explore the park pageants, department store window shows and government funded public service announcements that captivated generations of Minnesotans.
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet.
All are welcome.
Puppets in Progress Artist Gathering
🎭✨ Puppets in Progress ✨🎭
Working on a puppet show or puppet project? Want feedback on a new idea? 🤔 Curious about puppet-building techniques? ✂️🎨 Or just looking for a room full of people who love puppets as much as you do? 💜
Join us for an evening of sharing works-in-progress, brainstorming, creative conversation, community, and good company. Whether you're looking for feedback, resources, inspiration, or simply a place to make art alongside others, Puppets in Progress is for you.
🥗 Bring a snack to share if you'd like (totally optional!).
🤝 Lightly facilitated by Felicia Cooper and Steve Ackerman.
🌎 We're thrilled to be part of a growing network of sibling PIPs with @roughhousepuppets in Chicago and @greenfeatherorg in New York!
💜 FREE!
🎭 All experience levels welcome.
✨ Come every month or drop in whenever you can!
PRETTY PETUNIA'S CREEPY DOLLY SLUMBER PARTY
Come sip apple cider, snack on snacks, make scary puppets, and get delightfully weird at our next Sip & Puppet!
🎟 GET TICKETS!
Spend the first part of the evening creating your own creepy puppet and hanging out with food & drink. Then Pretty Petunia and her dolly friends take over for a slumber party show featuring makeovers, prank calls, supernatural party games, and possibly something you really shouldn’t summon in a bathroom mirror. 👀
Come dressed as your favorite creepy-dolly style and bring your favorite creepy doll along!
📅 October 23 | 6–9 PM
$30.00 entry
For Ages 16+
6pm - Eat Drink Make creepy puppets
7pm - Slumber Party Show w/ Pretty Petunia
Puppets in Progress Artist Gathering
🎭✨ Puppets in Progress is back! ✨🎭
🗓️ Tuesday, September 15
🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 HoBT
Working on a puppet show or puppet project? Want feedback on a new idea? 🤔 Curious about puppet-building techniques? ✂️🎨 Or just looking for a room full of people who love puppets as much as you do? 💜
Join us for an evening of sharing works-in-progress, brainstorming, creative conversation, community, and good company. Whether you're looking for feedback, resources, inspiration, or simply a place to make art alongside others, Puppets in Progress is for you.
🥗 Bring a snack to share if you'd like (totally optional!).
🤝 Lightly facilitated by Felicia Cooper and Steve Ackerman.
🌎 We're thrilled to be part of a growing network of sibling PIPs with @roughhousepuppets in Chicago and @greenfeatherorg in New York!
💜 FREE!
🎭 All experience levels welcome.
✨ Come every month or drop in whenever you can!
🎃 Halloween Stories with Chelly & Turnip at Mueller Park!
Join Chelly & Turnip the Dog at Mueller Park for Halloween stories from 1–2 PM, then stick around for an afternoon of Halloween fun!
Puppet Library and Puppet Clinic!
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet.
We will also host a Puppet Clinic. Come help us fix some of our most loved puppets!
All are welcome.
Open Streets Hennepin 2026
Come find HOBT at Hennepin Open Streets (27th & Hennepin Ave — NW corner)
🎨✂️ Make something with us at our Make & Take table
📚✨ Gather ’round for Storytime with Chelly!
⏰ Storytime times TBA — stay tuned!
FULL - Bread and Puppet Puppetry in Performance Workshop
Bread and Puppet
Puppetry in Performance Workshop
Join Bread & Puppet for a workshop that leads to a participatory performance! The Upside Down World Circus features diverse puppetry and street theater performance styles to tell vital stories of the moment. Through the lens of a rehearsal process, participants in the Puppetry in Performance Workshop will be introduced to these performance styles and methods. The workshop culminates with participants performing alongside Bread & Puppet company members in a performance of Our Domestic Resurrection Circus.
Free. Registration is required to participate
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet.
All are welcome.
Puppet Library and Puppet Clinic!
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet.
We will also host a Puppet Clinic. Come help us fix some of our most loved puppets!
All are welcome.
Puppets in Progress Artist Gathering
🎭✨ Puppets in Progress is back! ✨🎭
🗓️ Tuesday, September 15
🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 HoBT
Working on a puppet show or puppet project? Want feedback on a new idea? 🤔 Curious about puppet-building techniques? ✂️🎨 Or just looking for a room full of people who love puppets as much as you do? 💜
Join us for an evening of sharing works-in-progress, brainstorming, creative conversation, community, and good company. Whether you're looking for feedback, resources, inspiration, or simply a place to make art alongside others, Puppets in Progress is for you.
🥗 Bring a snack to share if you'd like (totally optional!).
🤝 Lightly facilitated by Felicia Cooper and Steve Ackerman.
🌎 We're thrilled to be part of a growing network of sibling PIPs with @roughhousepuppets in Chicago and @greenfeatherorg in New York!
💜 FREE!
🎭 All experience levels welcome.
✨ Come every month or drop in whenever you can!
Beaver Day Puppet Making Workshop
🎉🦦The Beaver Day Parade is coming, and HoBT is helping get the puppet population ready!
Join us for one, two or both FREE puppet-building workshops and create a large beaver puppet — or another marvelous wetland friend — to bring to the parade. 🐸🦆🐟🌿
Experienced puppet makers will be there to help you work from a template or dream up a creature of your own. You'll also learn about beavers and their ecosystems from experts and researchers who'll be building right alongside us! 💡
HOBT Summer Puppet Camp: August Session
HOBT Puppet Camp will take place June 22-26, 2026 and August 31-September 4, 2026! Your child will be able to explore the materials and create with others.
Artist Gathering: Puppets in Progress
🎭✨ Puppets in Progress is back! ✨🎭
🗓️ Tuesday, August 18
🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 HoBT
Working on a puppet show? Want feedback on a new idea? 🤔 Curious about puppet-building techniques? ✂️🎨 Or just looking for a room full of people who love puppets as much as you do? 💜
Join us for an evening of sharing works-in-progress, brainstorming, creative conversation, community, and good company. Whether you're looking for feedback, resources, inspiration, or simply a place to make art alongside others, Puppets in Progress is for you.
🥗 Bring a snack to share if you'd like (totally optional!).
🤝 Lightly facilitated by Felicia Cooper and Steve Ackerman.
🌎 We're thrilled to be part of a growing network of sibling PIPs with @roughhousepuppets in Chicago and @greenfeatherorg in New York!
💜 FREE!
🎭 All experience levels welcome.
✨ Come every month (3rd Thursday) or drop in whenever you can!
Trees Are Cool!
Trees Are Cool
Trees are Cool introduces its young audience to a Grandmother Squirrel who teaches us to plant trees for the benefit of future generations. The simple narrative of a grandmother and her tree climbing grandchild is packed with educational information about our specific ecosystem here in the city, the importance of trees, and the magnificence of the interconnection of all living things. Told through puppetry, song, and even some tree jokes, Trees are Cool is a delightful and educational show that illuminates just how cool trees are.
Artist Gatherings: Puppets in Progress
✨ REMINDER!
For tonight’s Puppets in Progress, we decided to do a field trip to go see David Hanzal's workshop performance of "Wishes in the Sand" at Open Eye Theatre. Meet at Open Eye!
🎟 GET YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE: https://www.openeyetheatre.org/wishes-in-the-sand
We'll be back at HOBT for August's Puppets in Progress on Tuesday, August 18 at thew regular time (6pm-9pm)
First Saturday Storytime CLOSED JULY 4th
HoBT will be closed July 4th. Storytime this Saturday is cancelled.
HOBT Summer Puppet Camp: June Session
HOBT Puppet Camp will take place June 22-26, 2026 and August 31-September 4, 2026! Your child will be able to explore the materials and create with others.
Let Them Eat Melon - SOLD OUT
The Ow WOW mEoW puppet troupe presents “Let Them Eat Melon: A puppet show inside a watermelon, inside a stomach, inside of a anti folk music
Puppets in Progress
"Puppets in Progress" a gathering space for artists and puppet enthusiasts.
A space to connect in time and space A space to share and witness
- Are you looking for an accountability group?
- Would you like a cohort to brainstorm with, to showcase your work and get feedback?
lightly led/coordinated by Felicia Cooper and Steve Ackerman
* Free
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
Mother's Day Brunch and Puppet
Calling all Familes! Come celebrate your cregivers: moms, aunts, grandmas, sisters, dads and anyone else who is special in your life! Open to all! we will make simple hand puppets and enjoy some brunchy snacks and beverages.
